TUBE HEAD AND TUBE COMPRISING SAID TUBE HEAD

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims priority to French Application No. 2405948, filed Jun. 6, 2024, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

[0002]The invention relates to a tube head as well as a tube comprising said tube head.

BACKGROUND

[0003]Flexible tubes are known comprising a tube head provided with a dispensing orifice, a cap mounted on the tube head and reversibly closing the dispensing orifice, and a flexible sleeve fixed to the tube head.

SUMMARY

[0004]The invention relates to the orientation or alignment of the different components of the tube between them. The sleeve can be decorated and may comprise in particular a longitudinal weld. The orientation of the decoration, with or without the longitudinal weld, and therefore the orientation of the sleeve in relation to the tube head and cap, is an important aspect for the consumer. In fact, the correct orientation of the sleeve in relation to the tube head and cap allows the tube to be ergonomically designed, allowing the consumer to intuitively find the finger grip needed to lift the cap. In addition, a good orientation of the sleeve with respect to the head allows the tube to be aesthetically pleasing and of high quality.

[0005]The tube heads according to the prior art comprise a positioning tab on the outer diameter of the tube head cooperating with a complementary tab on the cap, said tabs cooperating with each other in order to position the cap in an appropriate manner, in particular with respect to the decoration and/or the longitudinal weld of the sleeve, during the manufacture of the tube. Such a solution requires a lot of separate components, and therefore a lot of plastic. In addition, this solution does not allow the tube head itself to be oriented in relation to the sleeve.

[0006]The invention proposes a tube comprising a tube head and a flexible sleeve, the head having a main axis intended to contain a liquid or pasty product, comprising an upper wall and an annular side wall, a free lower end edge of which defines a reference plane, said head comprising a dispensing orifice, the lower end edge comprising a single projecting or recessed mark for angular indexing about the axis, a portion of which is offset axially relative to the plane to enable the angular position of the head to be identified in a unique manner about its axis, the tube wherein a lower end portion of the tube head is inserted within the flexible sleeve such that the mark is concealed within the sleeve.

[0007]According to another feature of the tube according to the invention, the mark is formed by a notch made in the lower end edge of the annular side wall, a bottom of the notch forming the portion which is offset axially upwards with respect to the reference plane.

[0008]According to another feature of the tube according to the invention, the notch forming the mark has an axial height of the order of a millimetre.

[0009]According to another feature of the tube according to the invention, the notch forming the mark has a width of the order of a millimetre.

[0010]According to another feature of the tube according to the invention, the notch forming the mark has a generally rectangular shape.

[0011]According to another feature of the tube according to the invention, at least the mark is formed by a finger which extends the annular side wall axially downwards below the reference plane, the lower end of the finger forming the portion which is offset axially downwards with respect to the reference plane.

[0012]According to another feature of the tube according to the invention, the finger forming the mark has an axial height of the order of a millimetre.

[0013]According to another feature of the tube according to the invention, the finger forming the mark has a width of the order of a millimetre.

[0014]According to another feature of the tube according to the invention, the finger forming the mark has a generally rectangular shape.

[0015]According to another feature of the tube according to the invention, the diameter of the tube head is between 20 and 60 mm, in particular between 30 and 50 mm. According to another feature of the tube according to the invention, the sleeve is fixed directly to the tube head.

[0016]According to another feature of the tube according to the invention, said tube comprising at least 50% by mass of paper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017]The invention will be better understood and further details, characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description made by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the upper part of a tube fitted with a head produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear of a head fitted to the tube in FIG. 1, the head being produced according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view, with a cross-section parallel to the axis of the tube in FIG. 1 showing the inside of the tube fitted with the head in FIG. 2;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the rear of a head fitted to the tube in FIG. 1, the head being produced according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a perspective view, with a cross-section parallel to the axis of the tube in FIG. 1 showing the inside of the tube fitted with the head in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023]As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the present invention relates to a head 1 for manufacturing a flexible tube intended to contain a liquid or pasty product. The tube generally has a main axis (X). The head 1 according to the invention comprises an upper wall 10 and an annular side wall 20.

[0024]The upper wall 10 here extends in a radial plane which is orthogonal to the main axis (X). The annular side wall 20 extends axially downwards from the periphery of the upper wall 10.

[0025]The free lower end edge 21 of the side wall 20 defines a reference plane (A). Said reference plane (A) is shown in FIG. 2. The reference plane (A) here extends orthogonally to the main axis (X).

[0026]The side wall 20 can be of different shapes, in particular cylindrical or frustoconical. The side wall 20 here has, in a non-limiting manner, a surface of revolution about the main axis (X). The free lower end edge 21 then has a circular shape.

[0027]The head 1 comprises a dispensing orifice 2. Advantageously, the dispensing orifice 2 is located on the upper wall 10 of the head 1. In a non-limiting way, the dispensing orifice 2 is arranged on the main axis (X) of the head 1.

[0028]The lower end edge 21 of the side wall 20 comprises a mark 3 for angular indexing of the head 1 about the axis (X). The mark 3 projects or is recessed into the lower end edge 21 so that a portion 4 is axially offset from the reference plane (A). Preferably, the lower end edge 21 comprises a single mark 3 to allow unique identification of the angular position of the head 1 around its axis (X).

[0029]According to a first embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mark 3 is formed by a recessed notch 3A in the lower end edge 21 of the annular side wall 20. A bottom of the notch forms the portion 4 which is offset axially upwards with respect to the reference plane (A).

[0030]The notch 3A has an axial height h1 of the order of a millimetre from the reference plane (A). Preferably, the height h1 is between 1 and 2 mm, for example 1.16 mm. The notch 3A has a width l1, taken in the circumferential direction of the lower end edge 21 at the reference plane (A), of the order of a millimetre. Preferably, the width l1 is between 1 and 3 mm, for example 2 mm.

[0031]The notch 3A here is generally rectangular in shape. The top corners of the rectangle are rounded here.

[0032]In a variant of the invention not shown, the notch can have other shapes, for example a triangular shape or the shape of an arc of a circle.

[0033]The notch 3A is intended to be used as an angular mark 3 during a method of detecting the angular position of the head 1. The angular orientation around the main axis (X) is determined, for example, using an optical device emitting a light beam, for example an infrared beam, and an optical sensor. The infrared radiation is emitted at a lower section of the side wall 20 while the head 1 is rotated about its main axis (X). When the beam hits the solid side wall 20, it is reflected back to an optical sensor which determines that the side wall 20 is solid. When the light beam passes through the notch 3A, the optical sensor detects that the beam is no longer reflected and the angular position of the head 1 is determined.

[0034]According to a second embodiment of the invention, which is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mark 3 is made by a projecting finger 3B which extends axially downwards from the annular side wall 20 below the reference plane (A). The free lower end of the finger 3B forms the portion 4, which is offset axially downwards with respect to the reference plane (A).

[0035]The finger 3B has an axial height h2 of the order of a millimetre from the reference plane (A). Preferably, the height h2 is between 1 and 2 mm, for example 1.16 mm. The finger 3B has a width 12, taken in the circumferential direction of the lower end edge 21 at the reference plane (A), of the order of a millimetre. Preferably, the width 12 is between 1 and 3 mm, for example 2 mm.

[0036]The finger 3B has a generally rectangular shape.

[0037]In a variant not shown, the finger can have other shapes, for example a triangular shape or an arc of a circle.

[0038]The finger 3B is intended to be used as an angular mark 3 during the method of detecting the angular position of the head 1. The angular orientation around the main axis (X) is determined, for example, using an optical device emitting a light beam, for example an infrared beam, and an optical sensor. The infrared radiation is emitted just below the lower end edge 21 of the side wall 20 as the head 1 is rotated about its main axis (X). When the beam does not meet the side wall 20, it is not reflected towards an optical sensor that does not detect the presence of any material. When the light beam is cut by the finger 3B, the optical sensor detects that the beam is reflected and the angular position of the head 1 is thus determined.

[0039]As an alternative to the method of detecting the angular position of the head 1, the finger 3B is intended to be received between two converging rails from an opening as wide as the tube head 1 to a portion having substantially the same width as the finger 3B. This means that orientation takes place mechanically as the head 1 moves along a production path.

[0040]Whatever its embodiment, the mark 3 thus allows the tube head 1 to be oriented in particular with respect to the decoration and/or a longitudinal weld 51 of the sleeve during the tube manufacture, so that the sleeve is subsequently fixed in a suitable position.

[0041]Preferably, the entire tube head 1 according to the invention is formed of a continuity of material. The head 1 is thus made in one piece, i.e. a monolithic part. In the state of the art, a means of positioning a tube head portion cooperates with a complementary shape of another portion of the cap. As the head 1 according to the invention is not divided into at least two separate parts but is instead made in a single part combining the functionalities of these two components, the way in which the head 1 according to the invention is centered in relation to the sleeve is a completely different approach.

[0042]Advantageously, the tube head comprises a folding cover 11. Said cover 11 is connected to the tube head by a hinge 12 and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The mark 3 is arranged radially aligned with the hinge 12 with respect to the main axis (X).

[0043]Advantageously, the tube head 1, the folding cover 11 and the hinge 12 are made in one piece. The whole tube head 1 is advantageously formed by injection moulding, in particular of plastic. Preferably, the folding cover 11 includes a lug allowing the dispensing orifice 2 to be closed in a sealed manner when said cover is in the closed position.

[0044]The folding cover 11 is centered in relation to the central axis X. The hinge 12 is eccentric.

[0045]Advantageously, the head 1 has a finger grip 22 allowing the user to lift the cover 11 by inserting a finger between the side wall 20 and the cover 11 and pressing the cover 11 upwards.

[0046]The finger grip 22 is here a tab 22. Said tab 22 facilitates gripping of said cover 11 when said cover is opened by a finger of a user.

[0047]Alternatively, not shown, the finger grip can also comprise a clearance formed in the annular side wall 20. Such a clearance 22 allows a user of the tube comprising the head 1 according to the invention to insert his thumb in order to lift the cover 11.

[0048]Advantageously still,

[0049]The configuration of the head 1 according to the present invention enables the formation of a tube head 1 with reduced dimensions.

[0050]The tube head 1 has a diameter d as shown in FIG. 4. Advantageously, the diameter d of the head 1 is between 10 and 60 mm.

[0051]Advantageously, the diameter d of the head is between 20 and 60 mm.

[0052]Even more advantageously, the diameter d of the head 1 is between 15 and 20 mm.

[0053]Advantageously, the diameter d of the head 1 is between 30 and 50 mm.

[0054]Advantageously, the tube head 1 according to the invention is made of plastic.

[0055]Advantageously also, said head 1 is formed by injection moulding of plastic material.

[0056]According to another aspect of the invention, illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the present invention also relates to a tube 100 comprising a tube head 1 as described above and a flexible sleeve 50.

[0057]Advantageously, the flexible sleeve 50 is formed from a sheet of laminated material. Said sheet comprises two opposite edges and is rolled up so that the opposite edges overlap. Said opposing edges are then welded together to form a longitudinal weld 51.

[0058]Advantageously, the longitudinal weld 51 of the sleeve 50 of the tube 100 is positioned close to the hinge 12. So, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, when a user looks at the tube 100 with the finger grip 22 facing him, the longitudinal weld 51 is at the rear of the sleeve 50. This configuration is particularly advantageous in terms of the aesthetic appearance of the tube. In fact, the longitudinal weld 51 is an element of the sleeve that is considered to be unsightly, particularly as this area of the sleeve is often unadorned. It is therefore advantageous to position this longitudinal weld 51 at the rear of the sleeve, i.e. on the hinge 12 side. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the decoration of the sleeve 50 is advantageously oriented so that it is on the same side as the clearance 22, thus facing the user. This improves the ergonomics of the tube 100 by giving the user a visual indication to quickly find the finger grip 22.

[0059]To do this, the method of orienting the tube head 1 is applied before assembling the head 1 with the sleeve 50.

[0060]The angular mark 3 is used solely to orientate the head 1 during the manufacture of the tube 100. It is, however, an unaesthetic element. It is therefore preferable for the mark 3 not to be visible to the end user when the tube 100 is assembled. To this end, the lower end portion of the side wall 20 which carries the mark 3 is inserted inside the flexible sleeve 50 so that the mark 3 is hidden inside the sleeve 50, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.

[0061]Preferably, the sleeve 50 is fixed directly to the tube head 1. No additional parts are required to attach the sleeve 50 to the head 1. This allows the number of parts to be kept to a minimum, thereby limiting the quantity of plastic required to manufacture the tube 100 according to the invention, and improving the recyclability of said tube 100.

[0062]Even more preferably, an internal face of the sleeve 50 is fixed to an external face of the lower end section of the side wall 20 of the tube head 1 by high-temperature welding or ultrasonic welding.

[0063]Preferably, the laminated material forming the sleeve 50 is a multilayer comprising at least one layer of plastic. Preferably, the laminate comprises at least one layer of PE (polyethylene). Even more preferably, the laminate comprises at least one layer of PP (polypropylene).

[0064]Advantageously, the laminated material forming the sleeve 50 comprises at least one barrier layer. Advantageously, the barrier layer is a plastic barrier layer of the EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol) type.

[0065]Preferably, the laminated material forming the sleeve 50 is a multilayer comprising at least one layer of paper. Even more preferably, the paper represents at least 60% by mass of the sleeve 50 of the tube 100, in particular 70% by mass. This composition of the sleeve 50 of the tube 100 further improves the ability of the tube 100 to be recycled.

[0066]Advantageously, said tube 100 comprises biosourced and/or recycled material. Advantageously still, the tube 100 according to the invention comprises at least 50% by mass of paper. Advantageously still, the tube 100 according to the invention comprises at least 70% by mass of paper. Advantageously still, the tube 100 according to the invention comprises at least 80% by mass of paper.